James’ mother Rachel released a statement on behalf of her family following the case and have paid tribute to the teenager who had just left school to start a career as a bricklayer.

They said: ‘The whole situation does not yet feel real to me. I have mixed emotions of sadness, anger and overall disbelief that James is gone.

‘James was 17-years-old when he was taken from us. It is such a waste of a young man who had a positive future ahead of him. There is a sense of emptiness without his presence.

Police released footage of his driving in the minutes before the crash

‘I often see James’ father getting upset and he regularly asks the same question that only Tyrone Quinn can answer: “Why would you drive a car when you’re under the influence of drink and drugs?”

‘I understand Tyrone Quinn has not assisted the police during their investigation. This has added to our family’s grief, I cannot understand why Tyrone would not help the police investigate the death of his supposed friend.

‘His refusal to give any account during police interviews has left us in the dark when all we want is to understand how James was taken from us.

‘There is no sentence which could make up for my son being taken away. What I want is to have James back but that isn’t going to happen.’

Sergeant Steve Armstrong: ‘He was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs and was driving in a dangerous manner at high speed in Newcastle city centre on one of the busiest nights of the year without any regard for members of the public or the passengers in his vehicle.

‘I do not get any pleasure from a case where a young man has lost his life and our thoughts are with James’ family at what must be an incredibly difficult time for them.

‘This is a devastating reminder of how dangerous it can be to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. People think that they may be invincible but the sad truth is that is not the case.

‘The only positive that can come from this case is that it acts as a reminder to other motorists, young drivers in particular, that a vehicle can be a deadly weapon when it is not treated with respect.

‘Officers from Motor Patrols and Op Dragoon are committed to identifying those who feel that it is acceptable to drive motor vehicles on the road without complying with the law and we will take positive action against those involved.’